Close associate of Nigel Farage hired private investigators to spy on Tory Chairman

Published: 22:15, 15 August 2026 | Updated: 22:15, 15 August 2026 A close associate of Nigel Farage hired private investigators to spy on the Conservative chairman, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Businessman Arron Banks is understood to have instructed Precision Risk and Intelligence (PRI), a private investigations company he once owned, to probe Kevin Hollinrake after the Tories called for an investigation into Mr Farage over a £5million donation. The revelation follows Mr Banks hiring the company to spy on journalists investigating the Reform UK leader's finances. PRI has a reputation for ruthlessness, with City sources claiming it has used 'honeytrap' stings on senior law firm members. The company was dissolved after Brexit but a source said that 'the same operatives work on projects, mainly high-value litigation'. Mr Hollinrake has led Tory attacks on Reform's finances, including disclosures about the finances of key Farage aide 'Posh George' Cottrell and the party's deputy leader Richard Tice. His letter to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner triggered the investigation into the £5million donation from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne. Asked if he had hired private investigators to probe Mr Hollinrake, Mr Banks replied: 'Since the local elections in May we have been aware Tory HQ and Mr Hollinrake have been waging a dirty tricks campaign against Nigel. Arron Banks, a close associate of Nigel Farage, hired private investigators to spy on the chairman of the Conservative party 'Investigations show this was a hit-job on Nigel and Reform as political rivals and elements of the media attempt to destroy Reform.' Mr Hollinrake said: 'The use of private investigators to target journalists and political opponents is sinister and has no place in our politics. There are no 'dirty tricks' here. 'I've been doing my job, asking legitimate questions. We've done exactly the same with Labour over Mandelson, Rayner and others.' A Conservative Party spokesman said: 'This begs the question: on whose authority is Banks acting? We make no apologies for standing up to Reform over Farage's dodgy £5million or his undeclared gifts from George Cottrell. 'Reform must come clean about any knowledge they had of this investigation and condemn Banks for this attack on democracy.'